Welcome to Reception

At Leominster Primary School we have two spacious and well resourced reception classrooms, each with a toilet area attached. Classes have their own designated outdoor undercover area, as well as sharing a large playground with markings to encourage learning through play. Reception and Nursery share a grass area fenced off from the playground with large sandpits and a brand-new activity trail!

Each day children have access to milk, water and fruit/vegetables as well as having the opportunity to take up a free school meal at lunch time! All children have access to a range of tasty lunches that will need to be pre ordered.

The Early Years curriculum focusses on the development of young minds. Children are taught through fun filled topics that stimulate the imagination and curiosity of our young learners. Our teachers plan a topic based curriculum and activities and learning questions are often driven by children's interests and include both child intiated learning as well as adult led activities.  In addition, children have the opportunity to explore both indoors and out!  For more information, please scroll down.

The relationship between home and school is a crucial aspect of your childs educational journey. We send letters via Parent Mail, updates via Tapestry and regularly update our website to keep you fully informed. In addition, our staff are approachable and are eager to get to know you as well as your children. If you would like to speak to your child's teacher they are usually available at the start of the day, the end of the day or you can arrange a meeting with them for a time to suit you both. You can contact the school via telephone and/ or email.

Who's Who in EYFS (Reception)?

Headteachers: Mrs Lynch and Mrs Rees

Early Years Coordinator: Mrs Bristow

SENCo: Mrs Hough

Hedgehogs

Class Teachers: Mrs Gunnell (Monday - Wednesday) and Mrs Tisdale (Thursday - Friday)

 Teaching Assistant: Mrs Pugh

Squirrels

Class Teachers: Miss Preece (Monday) and Mrs South (Tuesday - Friday)

PPA class teacher cover: Mrs Tisdale (every other Wednesday)

Teaching Assistants: Miss Arnold

Foxes

Foxes is our mixed Nursery and Reception class

Class Teachers: Lisa Buffton (mornings) and Barbara Brown (some afternoons)

PPA class teacher cover: Mrs Rutterford (every Wednesday afternoon)

Teaching Assistants: Naomi Harris, Jakki Watkins, Michelle Wright

SEN TAs - Miss Cooke

Speech and Language Teaching Assistant: Mrs Lloyd

 

Letters

Dates for your diary

Autumn 1

Wednesday 6th September - Reception home visits

Thursday 7th September - Reception home visits

Friday 8th September - Reception home visits

Monday 11th September - Reception half days

Tuesday 12th September - Reception half days

Wednesday 13th September - Reception first day

Wednesday 20th September - Hedgehogs at Forest School

Tuesday 3rd October - Hedgehogs at Forest School

Wednesday 25th October - Parent teacher meetings

Thursday 26th October - Squirrels at Forest School

Thursday 26th October - Parent teacher meetings

Half term (Monday 30th October - Friday 3rd November)

Autumn 2

Thursday 9th November - Squirrels at Forest School

Thursday 21st December - Last day of term

Spring 1

Monday 8th January - First day of term

Half term (Monday 12th February - Friday 16th February)

Spring 2

Thursday 21st March - Last day of term

Summer 1

Monday 8th April - First day of term

Half term (Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May)

Summer 2

Friday 19th July - Last day of term

What is Tapestry?

Tapestry:

  • Each child will have their own online journal where observations, photographs and videos can be added to show parents and carers about their time in school.
  • Parents and carers can have access to their child’s journal. You can view observations, comment on them and add observations of your own.
  • Teachers complete Friday uploads so you can view what your children have been doing in school each week.
  • Tapestry is a fantastic commuication tool between parents/ carers and teachers.

For support in activating your account please watch this video:

Tapestry for parents / relatives: Setting up your account

Forsupport in adding an observation please watch this video:

Tapestry for parents / relatives: Adding an observation

For any other help and support please speak to your child's teacher.

Cultural Capital

In the EYFS at Leominster Primary School we aim to construct a curriculum that is purposeful, ambitious and designed to give children the knowledge, self-belief and cultural capital (life skills) they need to succeed in life and becoming independent learners. This will enable children to develop their resilience, ability to take risks and take pride in their own achievements. We expand children’s knowledge and experiences through the seven areas of learning. Our curriculum is purposeful and creates awe & wonder. Children are motivated to become enthusiastic within their learning and prepares them for school life and beyond.

Below are just some of the engaging activities that our children have enjoyed:

EYFS Enrichment Activities to support Cultural Capital

The Early Years Curriculum

The ‘Birth to 5 Matters’ document helps our teachers to plan appropriate lessons which challenge all pupils and help them to become well rounded individuals.

The prime areas of our curriculum focus on:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

 

In addition, children will also learn about the ‘specific areas’. These are:

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

How to Support Your Child in Reception at Home

Physical Development (gross motor, fine motor, health and self-care):

  • Controlling a ball (throwing and catching, kicking and aiming, patting or dribbling).
  • Travelling in a variety of ways (running, jumping, climbing, hopping and skipping).
  • Balancing on one leg, riding a bike or even a scooter. 
  • Manipulating playdough (pinching, squeezing, rolling into a ball, creating a model)
  • Drawing, painting, writing and colouring.
  • Using children's scissors.
  • Using a spoon, knife and fork.
  • Getting dressed with less support or completely independently!
  • Toilet training.

Literacy:

  • Share a  range of fiction and non fiction books together. Encourge your child to hold the book and turn the pages independently. Ask your child questions about the book to check their understanding. When ready, encourage your child to segment (sound out) the words and blend together.
  • Retell familiar stories together.
  • Sing songs and use actions.
  • Encourage your child to practise writing their name. This could be done with paint, a wet paint brush on a warm day, mark making in sand or even with a pencil to paper.

Mathematics:

  • Play board games, subitising the spots on the dice and counting the moves along the board.
  • Sing number rhymes and use fingers to represent the amounts.
  • Look for numbers, shapes and colours around the house or outside.
  • Practise touch counting amounts of objects. 
  • Discuss and compare height, weight and length. 

Other Ideas:

  • Visit the local library. If you aren't registered yet at the library, go to:

    https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/jointhelibrary

  • Go for walks (discuss safety, directions, seasons and senses).
  • Visit the playground (play, exercise and socialise).
  • Visit the shops (write lists and pay using coins).
  • Dance to music or even create your own music!
  • Dress up, create stories and imagine!
  • Build models with construction toys or junk modelling!
  • Play, laugh and have fun!